The best case scenario for sports betting in Maine is that legislation allowing it to happen might be in place by January 2020. The big delay to legalizing sports wagering in the Pine Tree State was created by Governor Janet Mills this week when she declined to sign off its sports betting bill because of fears regarding the expansion of gambling.
Mills opted to let the bill slide beyond the legislative deadline despite it having bipartisan support from policy makers. It is now likely to remain on ice for several months and could, ultimately, fail to make it onto the statute books.
Under Maine state law, governors are given 10 working days to either sign or veto bills if they land on their desk after the close of a legislative session. Those bills that fail to attract a signature may be held until the next legislative session, whereupon governors have three days to act on them.
According to Maine Senator Louis Luchini, Mills might still decide to veto the bill within three days of the beginning of the next legislative session. But if she chooses not to act within that three-day period, the bill would enter into law.
Quoted in Legal Sports Report, Luchini said he would be open to ironing out any concerns that Mills might have. “I’ve met with her and she expressed some concerns which resulted in her not signing the bill. I greatly respect her opinions and am happy to work with her on a resolution if possible.”